Quote of the Day? Is it ‘idiot yahoos’ or the ‘Vegas-style, all-you-can-eat buffet’?

The masters of oratory who occupy Toronto City Hall were doing some of their best work yesterday in meetings, and around the corridors. Their quotes are so entertaining, we can’t decide which qualifies as quote of the day. And it’s early yet. There could be more gems to come.

“There are plenty of opportunities in and around City Hall where councillors can keep themselves nourished during long meetings that aren’t at taxpayers’ expense.”

— Adrienne Batra, Mayor Rob Ford’s press secretary, on why he will not support a proposal by Councillor James Pasternak, an ally, to reinstate free snacks for city councillors during council meetings.

“Just because one councillor wants to have some cookies at city council doesn’t mean he’s bolting and going renegade. It means he just wants to have cookies and coffee and he doesn’t want to leave his seat.”

— Councillor Denzil Minnan-Wong, on the suggestion that Mr. Pasternak’s proposal is a sign of the Mayor’s support fraying.

“Let’s be clear, I wasn’t suggesting a 40-foot-long Las Vegas-style all you can eat buffet. We were just working on a way to keep councillors focused on the meetings and getting the affairs of government done.”

— Councillor James Pasternak on his proposal to bring back free coffee and sandwiches for councillors during long council meetings. The “negative anti-snack forces” reaction has compelled him to back off.

“There is a lot of rhetoric about fighting gridlock, but I’m looking for specific things we can do… to move forward and send a clear message for the selfish idiot yahoos, to be candid, who don’t care about anybody else in the morning. Who just pull over on the side of the road, put on their blinkers, go grab their coffee, get stuck in line, they don’t care, while all of us are frustrated behind them.”

— Councillor Josh Matlow, arguing for a proposal to fine motorists and delivery vehicles that block traffic during rush hour $500. The government management committee balked at setting the fine, but will look at ways to alleviate congestion caused by those who illegally park on the side of the road during rush hour.